The International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20 to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. The UN launched the day in 2012 as a reminder that being happy is a basic human right and worth celebrating.
We talk a lot about happiness in our everyday lives. However, we often confuse it for wealth, status, and power, but happiness means so much more. One post I saw offered five key rules to being happy.
- Don’t hate.
- Don’t compare.
- Don’t worry.
- Don’t expect.
- Don’t complain.
In anticipation of Monday, March 20, here’s a few thoughts on making the most of your day and finding happiness:
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Writing from the Heart with Brian 
Lovely Brian. I’m currently working on a post about happiness. Now I know when I need to publish it 😁
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We all need more happiness in our lives. Never a bad day to post your story. I’m behind a bit in my blog reading, but I can’t wait to read your post!! 😄😄😄
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It’s challenging sometimes keeping on top of everything
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It’s a happy weekend in that an operation for Monday was canceled but because of something alarming. And a solution has to be found. I am trying to be happy with my husband besides so many worries. I am happy to have time to hear him play classical guitar and that I could clean and be more organized for next date. No Pollyanna here but trying. Thanks, have a good weekend, Brian! ❤️🙏🏽
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Oh my goodness, I wanted to ask Stockdale, but I didn’t want to pry. What a challenging situation. Yes, sounds like you definitely need some answers. Never fun waiting. Nothing happy about that. Praying for the answers, the help you need, and a clean bill of health. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Hang in there.
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Thank you, Brian. It is for my husband. Good post despite all.🙏🏽
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The Emerson quote is the best…new to me…and it brought a smile…dare I say…happiness! 😉
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Smiles are good! Always good! Have a great weekend Victoria!
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You too – you too! 😉
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Good advice, especially the part about money not being the key to happiness.
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I forget that some times. A good reminder for me too!
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I also like Kant’s advice “Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” 🤓
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These are all lovely quotes, Brian, and speak to the true essence of happiness. 😊
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Thanks Ab, hope it makes sense. Thx!
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Great post, Brian. But hard during illnesses of body and mind although possible.
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You’re so right! Definitely not trying to be Pollyanna-ish or syrupy positive! Life can be hard. I just know for myself I’m happier in good and bad moments when I see the good in my life (not material things, but family/relationships/etc.) Thanks for commenting. Hope it’s a happy weekend!
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I like Ralph Waldo’s idea of how to manage a minute. We should strive to put together as many minutes of happiness as possible.
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I was told by a friend, “You’re only as happy as your least happiest child.” That is true for me. If my gets are distressed than I am a worrier and unhappy too. I’m trying to detach myself.
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I think you mentioned this once before. I love this line. It’s so true!!! Our youngest is home for spring break this week and the other two are doing well too, so I’m pretty happy! My son did mention some upcoming tests, etc. . . . I could feel the back of my neck get tense. I’m like wait a minute, I don’t have a test, I’m not back in college, why am I the one getting nervous? Ugh. But, yes, I do tend to take on their happiness levels. Sort of funny
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Yes. That’s it! My daughter was hired a few months ago at UC Berkeley in a job I’m thrilled with (yes, she is thrilled too!) If she has any difficulties and shares it with me, my neck and shoulders get tense. However, I’m glad she shares with me!
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My app crashed as I hit “reply”, so here’s another quote for your collection, from Kant: “Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.”
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I love this, Brian! Saving these quotes. Happy International Day of Happiness! ❤️
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Happiness is something everyone is going to achieve in the future, if only… (in my case when I can have a Nikon. Z9) 🙄😀. Thanks for the reminder.
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You’re so right about the “If Only” line. I can definitely relate. By the way, the Z9 looks really cool. I just googled it. Wow. Looks pretty impressive. The piece I saw mentioned sports, wildlife, landscape, weddings. Looks really awesome. Okay, yea, I can understand why that might make you happy . . . ha, ha. When I wanted something and I hadn’t earned the money or reached my goal yet, my mother used to tell me, “oh, but Brian, you’ll appreciate it even more when you get there.” Yea, I hated that too, but here’s hoping you get the Z9 soon!!! Ha, ha.
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I might when it’s an old model and sold at a discount 😅
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Here we are on the 20th of March (where on Earth does the time go?), and I’d like to wish you a happy International Day of Happiness, Brian. Better late than never with this post! I like the Epictetus quote the best. I’ve been learning this the hard way, but at least I am learning something useful these days! Thanks for sharing 😊.
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Yup, same to you Ellie. I try to be grateful and happy . . . at the very least, I try to make material things out of the equation, because they never seem to really make me happy. They’re nice, but don’t lead to long term happiness. At least for me. Hope you have a great day.
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That last quote, by Denis Waitley, is a keeper. 👍🏻
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